A/N: Here we go, chapter 2. Note, Garrus is starting to become less like himself. It's for a reason, please don't be upset if he seems a little out of character. Not much really to say about this chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

Searching

It felt cold. Jane struggled to understand why her brain felt so sluggish. Maybe Garrus got up to make breakfast. She tried to curl up and snuggle into his spot in the makeshift bed. Something was horribly wrong though. What the hell? I can't move! She struggled hard. Nothing happened. It was not like she was dead; she knew what that felt like. There was no awareness when you were dead. She strained with every fiber of her being to make some part of her body work.

Whispers. She could hear someone speaking. Not to her, there were multiple voices. She willed her ears to hear what the where saying.

"… it ready?… can't… make mistakes."

"… first subject… survive… will work…"

"… do it…"

What were they doing to her? She could not tell if the voices were human. Defiantly not Turian though, there was no distinct flanging in the voices. There were at least two, maybe three, people in the same room with her. She lost the ability to hear and her conscious sunk back into itself. One thing was for sure, there was no pain. Jane sighed. At least there was no pain.

___

"Did you find anything?" Garrus asked impatiently. Miranda visibly sighed.

"Not since the last time you asked five minutes ago."

The Normandy had arrived within the hour from when Garrus sent his message. Miranda and Legion where studying the wreckage for clues while Garrus paced back and forth agitated. Tali placed a hand on his shoulder breaking his concentration and made him look at her bright eyes that shone through her helmet.

"Don't worry, Garrus. We will find her."

Legion suddenly froze, his eye twitching up and down quickly. "EDI wishes to tell you that Council has finally reviewed the Mass Relay entry usage. There was only one other ship to pass though this Relay."

Garrus's mandible flared out angrily. "Do they know who it was?"

"No. The ship that passed through was only a freighter. The heading logged was to the Omega Nebula."

Everyone exchanged uncomfortable glances. Damn it. I thought I was done with that dirty little shit-hole.

___

Afterlife was as filthy as ever. The lights flashing rapidly and the Asari whores swaying their tiny bodies on the tables as the men looked hungrily at them. Garrus hated this place. It was too full of corruption and crime. Aria was up on her pedestal like always. Her Turian bodyguards looked at him suspiciously as he walked right up to her.

"Well, hello there Archangel, I didn't think I'd ever see you again." A cruel smile laced her over her blue lips. He reached over and grabbed the collar of her shirt threatening to lift her up off the ground.

"Where the fuck is she Aria?! And don't call me by that name."

There was a sudden commotion as there was a fumbling of weapons from the bodyguards.

"I wouldn't do that if I where you." All the guards turned to look at Miranda, Jacob, Tali, Legion, Grunt, and Jack. They all had their weapons already trained on them.

"I'd listen to the cheerleader. I'm feeling rather blood thirsty today myself, you wouldn't want my finger to slip." Jack was finally getting along with everyone. Even Miranda. Sometimes she would still be that cold-hearted bitch they picked up from Purgatory but she had found a sense of belonging when she was with them.

Aria just looked calmly at Garrus and grinned. He wanted to snap her neck, but he needed information. "I don't know who you are talking about."

Garrus let her go in disgust. "Don't play with me, Aria. You know about all the "trading" that goes around on Omega."

She put a look of thoughtfulness on her face. "Hmmm… maybe. Nope. I don't think so. But go ahead and ask around if you want."

His hand was so fast she never noticed it. SMACK! The hit sent Aria stumbling into the sofa. She reached a hand up to her face and worked her jaw. Small scratch marks trailed down a cheek.

"If I find out you had something to do with this, you are a dead women Aria." He had wanted to bash her head in with his rifle, but it would not do him any good if he lost it over the stupid bitch. The little group trailed down from the pedestal. It was useless. They were not going to find anyone of Omega who would want to talk to them.

"Pssst!" Garrus almost found that odd noise humans made annoying. He glanced to his side. A young human male was leaning up against the wall.

"What." Garrus growled quietly.

"Hey, don't get your panties in a wad. The Patriarch would like to see you, said he has a few stories that you haven't heard yet." The young man uncrossed his arms and walked off toward the bar as if he had never spoken to Garrus at all.

___

Garrus entered the private entertaining room by himself. The others had agreed it would be a little inconspicuous if they all went to see the Patriarch. So they had all scattered off in different directions to "find" information on the freighter. Just like the rest of Afterlife the room was poorly lit, but at least it was not flashing every few seconds. The Patriarch was standing in the corner waiting for him. Somehow, he was able to get rid of all of the guest that normally loitered around the sitting room.

"Patriarch! It's been a long time. Have you any more good stories to share since the last time we met?" Garrus hoped that the room was not bugged, but there was a very good chance it was. The Krogan nodded his head once in confirmation. Great, at least I'm good at puns.

"Many in fact. It would take much too long to relate for your short stay I'm sure. I just have a message for you. My krantt passed through here a few days ago and wanted to let you know that she will be visiting an old friend, someone by the name of Ice Queen." Ice Queen?

"Oh, uh, thank you very much. I am sure she is waiting for me to join her. Next time I promise to stay for at least one story." The Patriarch laughed. "Good bye, Patriarch, keep care of yourself."

"And you too, my good friend."

Garrus joined the rest and they headed back to the Normandy. There was an uncomfortable silence as they waiting for him to speak.

"Well?" Tali urged.

"He said that Jane went to see the Ice Queen." Everyone except Tali looked confused.

"Ice Queen? Who the fuck is that?" Jack asked. Tali and Garrus exchanged a look.

"It's a code for where they took her, not who." They all waited for him to say something. "There was only ever one queen Jane and I ever came across."

"And that means what? I thought you said it was to where they took her." Garrus shot a glare at Jack. Sometimes she just talks too much.

"That queen was the Rachni."

"So that means she was taken…"

"… to Noveria." Garrus finished and everyone finally understood why he was so quite. The only thing on Noveria was Binary Helix.